Crack the eggs into a small bowl and set aside at room temperature—this helps them incorporate more evenly into the meat mixture. In a separate bowl, combine the crushed saltine crackers, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Whisk these dry ingredients together to distribute the seasonings evenly throughout the crumbs. This ensures every bite of the finished meatloaf will have consistent flavor rather than pockets of concentrated seasoning.

Place the ground beef in a large mixing bowl and gently break it apart with your hands. Add the room-temperature eggs and the dry ingredient mixture from Step 1, then pour in the ketchup and add the shredded cheddar cheese. Using your hands, gently combine everything until just barely mixed—avoid overworking the meat, as this will make the meatloaf dense and tough. I find that mixing by hand gives me better control and feel for when the ingredients are just combined without overdoing it; stop as soon as you don't see any white streaks of meat or pockets of unmixed crackers.

Lightly spray a loaf pan or 9x5-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Transfer the meat mixture from Step 2 into the pan and gently shape it into a uniform loaf, pressing it down slightly to eliminate large air pockets but not compacting it too firmly. Smooth the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon for even cooking and browning.

Bake the meatloaf at 350°F for 55 to 65 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reaches 160–165°F. The meatloaf will develop a rich, caramelized exterior while staying moist inside thanks to the cheese and 80/20 beef blend. Start checking temperature around the 55-minute mark to avoid overcooking.

Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 5 minutes before slicing. This short resting period allows the juices to redistribute, keeping each slice moist and tender rather than having them run out onto the plate. Slice into portions and serve warm directly from the pan or transfer to a serving platter.